AKA: Norwegian Lundehund, Norwegian Puffin Dog, Norsk Lundehund

Description: The Norwegian Lundehund is a spitz type that cn easily be distinguished because of its odd charcteristics. For one, it has six toes on each foot instead of the usual four that dogs have. It also has joints in the nape of its neck, which other dogs don’t have. Other minor but extraordinarily odd features of this breed includes its extremely flexible shoulder joints and its extremely mobile ears.

The Lundehund is rectangularly proportional in shape, and is small and comparatively light. Its head is small The eyes are brown and deeply set, the ears are medium-sized and erect. Its legs are strong and muscled. Its tail is carried in a ring over its back or hanging. Its coat is rough and short, lying flat against its body.

Dynamics: The Norwegian Lundehund is a very friendly and playful dog. It loves people and likes to be close with its family or other dogs. It is also good with children. As long as it is socialized and brought up in a positive environment, the Lundehund will be a great family dog. It is also intelligent and can be very curious. This breed can be trained for agility, and it makes a great hunter. This dog is able to climb steep areas, thanks to its six toes on its foot. It can turn its head in a 180-degree angle because of the extra joints in the nape of its neck.

The Lundehund can be stubborn at times, and can also be manipulative. Because of this, you have to train the dog with consistency and strong stance. As the trainer, you have to be a good leader and show them who is boss. The training has to come with trust between the trainer and the dog, of course. This dog is obstinate and will require patience as it can be difficult to housebreak. This breed is somewhat primitive. Crate training is recommended because the Lundehund has a strong den instinct. It is also better to give the Lundehund freedom to go out whenever it wants to.

Breed Group: Northern, Hounds

Weight: 13-20 pounds (6-9 kg)

Height: 12-15.5 inches (31-39 cm)

Color: The coat of the Norwegian Lundehund can either be reddish brown with black hair tips, black, or grey, all with white markings. It can also be white with dark markings. The adult Lundehund has a more distinct black in its outer coat than the young Lundehund.

Country of Origin: The Norwegian Lundehund is from Vaerog and Rost, in northern Norway. This breed is among the rarest breeds. It was used to hunt puffins. When the puffins became a protected species, the number of Lundehunds decreased.

Activities: The Norwegian Lundehund is an energetic dog, needing a long walk every day and long sessions of play.

Grooming: Regular brushing or combing of the coat is enough to groom the Norwegian Lundehund. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary.

Other Info: The Norwegian Lundehund has a life expectancy of 12 years. This breed is prone to the Lundehund Syndrome, which is a series of digestive problems still being studied today. This breed is not suitable when living in an apartment.

Photo: Karen Elise Dahlmo

AKA: Labradorian Sleddog

Description: The Labrador Husky is a spitz type of breed that is often thought to be a mixed breed but it is actually a purebred. This breed resembles a Siberian Husky, with its round head covered with thick and fluffy hair. The muzzle tapers, narrowing to its nose. The medium-sized body aerodynamic, equipping them with speed and flexibility. Their whole body is covered with fluffy hair and is double-coated.

Dynamics: The Labrador Husky can be unpredictable temperament. With good socialization, this breed can get along well with children. They are reserved with strangers, though, and can even become aggressive with them. It should be watched among small animals and non canine household pets, too.

The Labrador Husky is bred to work well in a pack, and it is happy to work with other dogs. This breed is intelligent and can naturally learn things quickly. The Labrador Husky should not be left alone bored because it may get restless and become destructive.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 60 -100 pounds (27-45 kg)

Height: 20-28 inches at the withers

Color: The coat colors of the Labrador Husky range from white, black, red and white, to black and white.

Country of Origin: The Labrador Husky originated in Coastal Labrador in Canada. It is thought that the breed arrived with the Inuit people who cam e to Canada around 1300 AD.

Activities: This breed needs to have a long walk, exercises, or work to do. Its strong body and working energy are used to always be in motion. The Labrador Husky is a sled dog and it is essential for them to go outdoors and make long walks.

Grooming: Regular brushing is needed for grooming the Labrador Husky and to remove loose and dead hair. This breed sheds once a year. Bathe only when necessary.

Photo by: GreatDogSite.com

AKA: Nihon Supittsu

Description: The Japanese Spitz is a thick and long-haired dog that has its pure white long hair as its distinctive feature. Its whole body is covered with long hair, except on the bottom half of its legs. There are only breeches on the hind legs and feathering on the forelegs.

The ears of the Japanese Spitz are small and stand upright. The muzzle tapers slightly. The large oval eyes are dark and are almond-shaped. The nose and lips are black.

Dynamics: The Japanese Spitz is a very spirited and playful breed. It is always alert, and obedient to its owner. It is also fearless and intelligent. It makes a good watchdog. Training should be consistent, but generally the Japanese Spitz is easy to train as it learns quickly.

The Japanese Spitz is very good with children, and can get along with other dogs and household pets. It like so play, especially with balls and Frisbees. Its affectionate temperament is very evident. But it is also protective of its owner and family and can act as a guardian. It gets suspicious of strangers and will bark at people unless it knows them.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 11-20 pounds (5-10 kg)

Height: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm)

Color: The coat and hair of the Japanese Spitz is purely white.

Country of Origin: There is no solid information as to the origins of the Japanese Spitz, although it was claimed to have been descended from the Siberian Samoyed. The creation of the Japanese Spitz started in the late 1800s and became popular in Japan in the 1950s.

Activities: The Japanese Spitz loves to play and needs a daily walk. This breed is mostly used as a companion dog, but it can also be a watchdog and guard dog.

Grooming: Combing and brushing the Japanese Spitz should be done everyday. Bathe only when necessary. Remove loose hair from the under layer by using a comb with a double row of teeth.

Other Info: The Japanese Spitz has a life expectancy of 12 years. This breed will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors form time to time.

AKA: Ainu Dog, Hokkaidoken, Ainu-ken, Ainu Inu, Seta, Shita

Description: The Hokkaido Dog a muscular dog with a sturdy body. It has small erect ears that face forward are set high on the head. The eyes are small and dark brown. It has solid strong teeth that form a scissors bite. Some of the breed has black spots on the tongue, and others have the blue black tongue distinctive to the Chow Chow and the Shar Pei. The lips have dark pigmentation. The forelegs are straight. The back is lean and solid. The tail is curled in a Spitz fashion, carried high above or over the back.

Dynamics: The Hokkaido Dog is a fearless and loyal dog breed that has a good-natured temperament. It is intelligent and is quick to earn, with a natural sense of direction, always returning to its master. It is a determined hunter, as well as a guard and watch dog.

It is gentle and obedient to its owner and family. But it can be aggressive and stubborn with other dogs. It should not be free around other animals, too, because it might unleash its hunter instincts. It gets along with children well if raised with them since puppyhood.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 45-65 pounds (20-30 kg)

Height: 18-22 inches (46-56 cm)

Color: The Hokkaido Dog’s coat comes in sesame, brindle, wolf gray, red, brown, or white.

Country of Origin: The Hokkaido Dog is a Japanese Spitz breed, and is rarely seen outside Japan. It was named after the Ainu tribe that came to Japan thousands of years ago.

Activities: The Hokkaido Dog requires a moderate amount of exercise to keep fit. This breed is used in big-game hunting (especially in hunting bears), as a guard dog of a property, and as a draft animal pulling sleds.

Grooming: The straight double coat of the Hokkaido Dog should be brushed and combed regularly.

Other Info: The Hokkaido Dog is not fit for the city or apartment life. It prefers to be outdoors. It has a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years.

AKA: Suomenpystykorva, Finsk Spets, Loulou Finnoi

Description: The Finnish Spitz looks like a fox, with its pointed muzzle and perked ears. The ears are set high on its head, pointed and openly facing forward. The breed also has a black nose, black lips, and dark almond-shaped eyes. The jaws meet in a scissors bite.

The Finnish Spitz’ body is squarely proportional and has a thick coat, with medium-length hair that makes the breed look a little puffy and feathery. The chest is deep and the tail is carried curled on it back.

Dynamics: The Finnish Spitz is a lively breed with a friendly temperament. It is playful and seeks constant attention and affection. It is also brave and protective of its family. It gets along well with the other family members and the children. It can have problems with other dogs, though, and will try to dominate them. It can also be cautious and reserved with strangers.

The Finnish Spitz can be willful. It is loyal to its owner but may question its owners orders sometimes. Training it requires patience and consistency. The Finnish Spitz is also known for its bark; it is known as the “barking bird dog” in Finland.

Breed Group: Hounds, Northern, Non-sporting

Weight: 31-35 pounds (14-16 kg)

Height: 15-20 inches (38-51 cm)

Color: The Finnish Spitz pup comes out in a dark grey, black, brown, or fawn color. As it grows the coat lightens and becomes either a golder red or a yellowish-red. The shade can range from a pale honey to a dark chestnut. Small white markings is allowed.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Spitz was brought from Central Russia to Finland, where it was bred and popularized. It is the national dog of Finland.

Activities: The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of exercise to accommodate its huge amount of stamina. It makes a good watchdog and guard dog, can be used in hunting, and is a great family companion.

Grooming: The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat so it will be enough to groom it with just regular brushing and combing.

Other Info: The Finnish Spitz has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is a healthy breed. Common dog breed health issues like hip dysplasia and PRA are not common for this breed. The Finnish Spitz can live in the city and in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. It prefers cool climates.

Photo: Sannse